Freshsales vs Zoho CRM: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right crm & sales tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Freshsales (by a slight margin)

Freshsales edges out with a slightly higher rating (8 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
F
Freshsales(Winner)
Z
Zoho CRM
Overall Rating
8/10
7.5/10
Starting Price
$15/mo
$14/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
medium
Ease of Use
8/10
7/10
Features
8/10
8/10
Value for Money
8/10
9/10
Support
8/10
7/10

Overview

F

Freshsales

Freshsales (by Freshworks) is a modern CRM with built-in phone, email, and AI features. Designed for teams that want essential features without complexity.

Z

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is part of the comprehensive Zoho suite, offering solid features at competitive pricing. Good balance of functionality and affordability.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Zoho CRM
F

Freshsales

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$15/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
Z

Zoho CRM

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$14/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

FeatureFreshsalesZoho CRM
Contact Management
Deal Pipeline
Email Tracking
Email Templates
Sales Automation
Reporting
Mobile App
Api Access
Lead Scoring
Telephony

0

features unique to Freshsales

0

features unique to Zoho CRM

Pros & Cons

F

Freshsales

Pros

  • Built-in phone and email
  • Clean, modern interface
  • AI-powered lead scoring
  • Good value for features
  • Free tier available

Cons

  • Smaller app marketplace
  • Less customizable than competitors
  • Reporting could be deeper
  • Mobile app needs work
Z

Zoho CRM

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Strong Zoho ecosystem integration
  • Good automation capabilities
  • Free tier available
  • AI assistant (Zia) included

Cons

  • Interface feels dated
  • Customer support can be slow
  • Learning curve for setup
  • Some features buried in menus

The Verdict: Freshsales Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Freshsales edges out Zoho CRM with a slightly higher overall rating of 8/10 versus 7.5/10. Both are solid choices, but Freshsales offers a marginally better overall package.

Freshsales's advantages include Built-in phone and email and Clean, modern interface, though Zoho CRM counters with Excellent value for money and Strong Zoho ecosystem integration.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to Freshsales, but don't count out Zoho CRM if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Freshsales if you...

  • • Need inside sales teams
  • • Need smbs wanting built-in calling
  • • Need teams needing quick crm setup

Choose Zoho CRM if you...

  • • Need budget-conscious growing companies
  • • Need teams already using zoho apps
  • • Need smbs wanting feature-rich crm

Ready to Get Started?

Try FreshsalesTry Zoho CRM

Read our full reviews:

Freshsales Full ReviewZoho CRM Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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Freshsales vs Zoho CRM FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Freshsales has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Zoho CRM is more affordable with plans starting at $14/month, compared to $15/month for the other.
Freshsales scores higher in ease of use (8/10) compared to Zoho CRM (7/10).
Yes, migration between Freshsales and Zoho CRM is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, Freshsales is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Freshsales offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Freshsales excels at: Inside sales teams, SMBs wanting built-in calling. Zoho CRM is better for: Budget-conscious growing companies, Teams already using Zoho apps. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Freshsales rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to Zoho CRM (7/10).
Zoho CRM offers better value for money with a rating of 9/10 compared to Freshsales's 8/10.
Consider switching if Zoho CRM's strengths (Budget-conscious growing companies) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.